Installation and Use

Harness mode

The Maestro is intended for children age two and older. Children need to be rear facing until at least two, so this seat would not be appropriate until that point. In harness mode, installation is straightforward with either seat belt or lower anchors. The Maestro is a forward facing only seat so there is only one belt path. The seat belt or lower anchor strap will be thread through there, attached to the vehicle, and tightened until the seat moves less than an inch side to side at the belt path. The top tether should always be used for any harnessed installation as it provides extra protection in a crash.

Evenflo Maestro crotch strap routing for children weighing more than 40 lbs

The Maestro has four harness slots and two crotch buckle positions. The harness must always be above the shoulders, with the chest clip on the sternum, and harness must pass the pinch test. Once the child has reached 50 lbs, 50 inches, or shoulders go over the top harness slot, the seat must be used in booster mode. Once the child weights more than 40 lbs, the farthest crotch buckle position must be used.

The harnesses on the Maestro are narrow-set and most models do not come with strap covers, this may cause discomfort for some children, as the edges of the straps can irritate their neck. Evenflo has sent out harness covers in the past for those who contact them, for a small fee.

Evenflo Maestro shoulder belt guide

Booster mode

Evenflo Maestro shoulder belt routing on new versions

The Maestro also functions as a high back booster, and typically provides a proper seat belt fit; positioning the lap belt low on the hips and the shoulder belt even across the torso. The main downfall of older versions of the Maestro, as a booster, is that there is not a height-adjustable shoulder belt guide. At 19″ high, it is outgrown very quickly after the harness is outgrown in height. This is why Evenflo now offers the option (for seats that were made 3/2014 and later and specifically have it in their manual) to route the seat belt over the seat back instead of through the belt guide.

Please follow the instructions that are in the manual that came with your seat. The fit was good on this Huggable Images doll, but can vary in the shoulder area based on child’s build.

Evenflo Maestro with new over the seat belt routing

The Maestro does allow LATCH to be used in booster mode to secure the seat so that it does not become a projectile when it is not in use.

Fit to Child

Harness Mode

Evenflo Maestro- Sophie, 3 years, 30 lbs, 38 inches

Preschooler

This is Sophie, the CSFTL Huggable Images pre-schooler. She is 3 years, 30 lbs, and 38 inches. You can see she fits well with the harness above her shoulders and plenty of room to continue to grow until she would need to switch to booster mode.

6 year old

Evenflo Maestro- Chloe, 6 years, 46 lbs, 48 inches

This is Chloe, she’s our CSFTL Huggable Images 6 year old. She is 46 lbs and 48 inches and fits nicely in the Maestro in the harness still. She doesn’t have much room left and at six, she would more than likely be ready to use a booster though.

Booster Mode

6 Years Old

Evenflo Maestro- Chloe, 6 years, 46 lbs, 48 inches

This is Chloe, she’s our CSFTL Huggable Images 6 year old. She is 46 lbs and 48 inches and fits nicely in the Maestro in booster mode. The belt fit is great since her shoulder is still below the belt guide and lap belt low on the lap.

7 Years Old

Evenflo Maestro- B, 7 years, 52 lbs, 50 inches

This is B. At 7 years, 52 lbs, and 50 inches he is still well within the stated limits of the seat. His shoulders are well above the booster belt guide, and his ears are about to surpass the top of the shell so he cannot use this seat in booster mode with the traditional seat belt routing. Newer versions of the Maestro allow for the seat belt to go over the back of the seat instead of in the belt guide for children who are too tall to use the belt guide.

Important Information: Where to find

Evenflo Maestro FAA Approval

FAA approval When used in harnessed mode, the seat is FAA approved for use on aircraft. It is not approved for aircraft use in booster mode. The Maestro’s FAA approval sticker is located on the seat’s shell just under where the child’s left thigh would be.At 10 pounds, the Maestro is a great lightweight option for travel or a backup seat. The seat’s manual includes the harness mode FAA approval and airplane installation instructions.

Evenflo Maestro Date of Manufacture

Date of Manufacture sticker This sticker is located on the back of the seat’s shell, just below the lowest harness slots on the left side.

Evenflo Maestro Tether Storage

Tether storage There’s a handy, well-marked storage spot for the top tether. It’s located on the back of the seat, right near the top of the shell.

Evenflo Maestro Lower Anchor storage

Lower anchor (LATCH) storage There’s a handy, well-marked storage spot for the lower anchor connectors. They’re located on each side of the back of the seat, about 2/3 of the way up the shell.

Pros

Inexpensive

Easy to install

Can use LATCH in booster mode

Cons

Booster function is outgrown by height very quickly after the harness is outgrown

Narrow set harness straps may dig into a child’s neck (some models may have harness covers)

Overall Thoughts

For a tighter budget, a backup seat for Grandma, or a lightweight travel seat, the Evenflo Maestro really can’t be beat. Despite its limitations, it offers a great bang for the buck and is an excellent choice for any 2-6 year old. You can find the Evenflo Maestro on Amazon.com.

Related

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All CSFTL website contributors are Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians. However, our reviews and educational materials are OUR opinions and are not that of Safe Kids, NHTSA, or anyone other than us. We are not liable for anything anyone says or does as a result of reading our opinions on this site.

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